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President Obama Helps Dedicate the New Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Chris Evans
March 30, 2015
05:58 PM EST

President Obama, Vice President Biden, and the First Lady traveled to Boston today to celebrate the opening of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The building — complete with a full-scale replica of the United States Senate chamber — honors the life and legacy of Edward "Ted" Kennedy, who served as a U.S. Senator from 1962 to 2009.

Located adjacent to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Institute offers interactive exhibits, a replica of Sen. Kennedy’s D.C. office, and historic documents and memorabilia from the Senator’s life.

“The John F. Kennedy Library next door is a symbol of our American idealism. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a living example of the hard, frustrating, never-ending, but critical work required to make that idealism real,” President Obama said today.

Watch the President's full remarks here:

Watch on YouTube

Chris Evans is an intern in the White House Office of Digital Strategy.

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Abadi of Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden spoke this morning with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. They discussed ongoing military operations across Iraq, including in Anbar and Salah Ad Din provinces. The Vice President praised Prime Minister Abadi for his leadership in directing operations to clear ISIL from Tikrit. Both leaders expressed their strong support for continued cooperation between the Iraqi government and the international coalition. The Vice President commended the patriotism of the Iraqi Security Forces and those Iraqis who have volunteered to join the fight against ISIL. He reiterated the United States’ support for Iraq’s security under the Strategic Framework Agreement and full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and independence.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

March 26, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Masahiko Komura, Vice President of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party

The Vice President spoke today with Masahiko Komura, Vice President of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. They agreed that Prime Minister Abe’s official visit to Washington on April 28 was an opportunity to celebrate the U.S.-Japan alliance and its contributions to regional and global peace and security. They also agreed on the importance of concluding the revision of U.S.-Japan defense guidelines and bilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, including resolving differences on autos and agriculture, as soon as possible.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

March 25, 2015

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Former South African President Thabo Mbeki

Vice President Biden called the Chairperson of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan and former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki today to discuss Sudan. Vice President Biden thanked President Mbeki for his leadership and his efforts to bring the many Sudanese groups together, and the two discussed the importance of establishing one nation-wide approach to ending the conflicts in Sudan. Vice President Biden and President Mbeki discussed the urgent need for continued pressure on the Sudanese government and opposition leaders, as well as civil society groups, to begin the process of a national dialogue. The Vice President emphasized that African Union leadership will be crucial to promoting inclusive governance, ensuring respect for human rights, and urgently bringing the conflicts in Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan, and Darfur to a peaceful end. They agreed to continue closely coordinating African Union and U.S. efforts.

The Incredible Kid-Ingenuity on Display at the Fifth White House Science Fair

Posted by Becky Fried on March 23, 2015 at 05:51 PM EST

Today, the halls of the White House were packed with science projects -- robots, 3D-printed objects, computer programs, apps, and extraordinary scientific discoveries -- all built, invented, designed, and brought to fruition by students.

At the fifth-annual White House Science Fair, President Obama welcomed more than 100 students from more than 30 states for a celebration and showcase of their truly remarkable achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

As part of the Science Fair, approximately 35 student teams exhibited innovative projects -- including discoveries and insights in key areas such as disease diagnostics, clean energy, and information security -- as well as inventions ranging from the “why didn’t I think of that?” (automatic page-turner for people with arthritis) to the “who’d have ever thought that possible?” (a hiccup-curing lollipop!).

The President personally viewed some of these projects, marveling at the incredible ingenuity on display from student innovators across the country including some as young as six years old.

See more about Education, Technology

Being Biden: The 5th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Lindsay Holst

March 23, 2015
02:37 PM EST

The Vice President sent the following message to the White House email list today, sharing his personal audio reflections on the five-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Didn't get the email? Make sure you're on the list to receive them in the future.

Today marks five years since 11-year-old Marcelas Owens and I watched the President sign the Affordable Care Act into law.

Marcelas lost his mom to an illness when he was a younger boy. She didn't have insurance, so she couldn't afford the care that she needed. No family -- no child -- in America should have to go through what his family has experienced.

That's why we fought so hard for this reform bill. That's why the President -- whose own mother argued with insurance companies in her final days as she battled cancer -- signed this bill into law.

And that's worth remembering today.

I sat down to reflect on that day, and what's happened since then. Have a listen, and then pass this on to anyone you think who needs to hear it.

Related Topics: Get Covered 2015, Health Care

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The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2015

Statement by the Vice President on the Death of Lee Kuan Yew

Jill and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. Lee was a visionary leader who spearheaded Singapore’s economic growth and helped it become one of the most prosperous countries in the world today. He understood the importance of economic integration and effective governance to building a thriving, modern economy. He was a pragmatist, and sometimes uncompromising. But his commitment to delivering excellence in public service was exemplary. I valued his insights on Asia, geopolitics, and economics, which have shaped the thinking of many around the world. I will always cherish the wisdom he imparted on me when I had the honor to sit and talk with him in Singapore in July 2013. Then just shy of ninety years old, he remained formidable. Lee’s legacy lives on in the nation of Singapore. He was a believer in the importance of America’s enduring role as a resident Pacific power and a friend and admirer of the United States. Jill and I offer our condolences to Lee’s family and join the people of Singapore in mourning his loss.

Week in Review: A Royal Visit, Leading on Climate, and The First Lady's Travel Journal

Chris Evans
March 21, 2015
05:35 PM EST

This week, the President announced a new executive order that will allow America to lead on climate, traveled to Ohio to answer a few questions at The City Club of Cleveland, hosted the the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and celebrated St. Patrick's day with the Prime Minister of Ireland. The First Lady also had a busy week, heading to Japan and Cambodia to launch key partnerships for the Let Girls Learn initiative.

Find out more about the past week in our latest weekly wrap-up.

Leading by Example

President Obama signed an executive order on Thursday that will help us cut greenhouse gas emissions and set a bold example to other nations. This week’s order positions the federal government to cut their carbon pollution emissions by 40% over 10 years. This would save taxpayers up to $18 billion in energy costs and increase the share of electricity the federal government uses from renewable sources to 30%.

President Obama just took action to cut the Federal Government's carbon pollution emissions → http://t.co/RfVueggeWD pic.twitter.com/hJHqg6PuIN

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2015

Learn more about the President’s recent actions and how it sets a global example.

Chris Evans is an intern in the White House Office of Digital Strategy.

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani

This afternoon, Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani. The Vice President called to express condolences for the Kurdish Peshmerga executed by ISIL. The Vice President and President agreed that such unconscionable acts of brutality reflect ISIL’s true nature and reinforce our collective resolve to defeat ISIL. Vice President Biden praised the courage of the forces fighting ISIL, and President Barzani thanked the United States military and the international coalition for their vital support on the battlefield. The Vice President also offered warm wishes to President Barzani, his family and the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as they observe Nowruz.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President welcomed the Rada’s adoption of implementing measures relating to the law on special status for certain areas of eastern Ukraine, as called for in the September 2014 and February 2015 Minsk agreements. The two leaders discussed the upcoming multinational training program for Ukraine’s National Guard forces, which the United States will support. Finally, the two leaders agreed that sanctions on Russia imposed in response to its actions in eastern Ukraine should be tied to full implementation of the Minsk agreements, and that as long as Russia continues to fuel violence and instability in Ukraine, the international community must be prepared to increase the costs to Russia for pursuing such actions.